Shortly after gravel roads in the area finished their spring thaw and the subsequent pothole season began, the state legislature passed Public Act 85, which could in some cases raise the speed limit for these roadways.
The measure, House Bill 5240, passed unanimously in both the Senate (36-0) and the House of Representatives (107-0) in mid-March and was signed into law by Gov. Jennifer Granholm on April 2.
The act forces the Road Commission for Oakland County to play matchmaker with the roads, pairing up the number of entry points (driveways, side streets etc.) on the road within a one-half mile distance to come up with the proper speed limit specified by the law.
The legislation takes effect Nov. 9, changing the different speed limit barriers currently on rural roads, making possible for road speeds to fall into a 25 mph, 35 mph, 45 mph or 55 mph designation. As it is now, the only speed limits in place are that of 25 mph and the ‘prima facie? limit, used when there is no limit present, of 55 mph.
The county claims more than 31 percent of the 2,600 miles of roadway are gravel roads. Only Oakland and Monroe Counties currently employ the 25 mph limit.
Once Public Act 85 begins, the requirement for a 25 mph speed limit will be for a road to have 60 or more vehicle access points within a one half-mile stretch.
The requirements for the other limits are: between 45 and 59 access points for a 35 mph rating; between 30 and 44 access points for a 45 mph limit; and fewer than 30 points needed for a road to have the maximum 55 mph limit.
RCOC Public Information Officer Craig Bryson said the commission will conduct an inventory between Oct. and Nov. to determine what speed limits are needed on which roads.
Bryson estimated most gravel roads carrying the 25 mph limit will see an increase, but in reverse, roads which are currently set at 55 mph may see a reduction because under the previous laws they are not eligible for the lower speed.
‘This gives us more flexibility? for roads in between 25 and 55 mph, Bryson said. ‘It provides a middle ground,? he added.
Bryson said the commission has monitored the progress of the legislation, and the RCOC has been anticipating the changes for nearly a year. He expects more residents to become aware of the move once the word is spread.
‘Some may argue that nobody followed those (25 mph limits) before,? Bryson said.
Bryson said the probable reaction from residents will be mixed regarding the change; however, the strongest reaction will come from those who live on streets that are rated as 25 mph limits which are raised to coincide with the act.
‘People perceive that as a real safety issue,? Bryson said.
Jim Scharl, Independence Township resident and president of Kieft Engineering in Clarkston, agrees there could be safety concerns.
‘I think there’s a lot of concerned people in northern Oakland County,? Scharl said. ‘I don’t think what we have now is so wrong’what about kids? safety??
Scharl said a blanket-type law like this, one for the entire state, is not a good plan for Michigan because the north Oakland County area is not the same as the northern and western Michigan regions because of the population concentration within southeastern Michigan.
Scharl questioned how the limits would be derived, ‘Who’s to determine where a half-mile begins and ends??
For county roads that lie within a township, as many do in the area, the road commission, the state police department and the township board have to come to the same unanimous agreement on the change.
The act will also make 55 mph the speed minimum on expressways, a 10 mph increase, and 25 mph as the minimum speed limit that may be imposed near parks and playgrounds.
The RCOC makes several informative brochures available at its Website, http://www.rcocweb.org.